Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on recruitment guidelines and internal/external status

"I was recruited as a JPO/SARC before 1 January 2011. Which UNDP positions can I apply to at the end my JPO/SARC assignment?"

• UNDP job advertisements/description have a target audience that is divided into 4 categories internal, UNDP Contract holder, UN Common System contract holder, and external.  Depending on the target audience, the following would be applicable:
  
  
  • All JPOs, former or current, can apply as externals to any position advertised as such.
  • Former JPOs/SARCs can apply as externals to any position, noting that some contract modality will require a certain break in service.
  • Active UNDP JPOs/SARCs, currently on valid appointment, can apply as UNDP Contract holders. Here, the contingency of time in post applies and the JPO/SARC needs to have served a minimum of 15 months in total, before being able to apply to new positions. (ref to JPO recruitment guidelines)
  • Non-UNDP JPOs on valid appointment, and who are serving with other agencies, and therefore hold a UN Common System contracts, can apply as externals.
  • JPOs who are currently selected and hired through a recruitment process that is fully managed by the donor, and thus do not comply with JPO recruitment guidelines can apply as external candidates. This includes JPOs sponsored by Japan and Austria.

"Is the 15 months minimum required service period to be counted from the time of my last assignment or from  the time of my hire?"

• The 15 months period is counted from the time of your hire as a JPO/SARC.
  

"Is there a difference in the recruitment process of JPOs/SARCs sponsored by the various donors?"

• Yes. The JPO Recruitment Guidelines introduce three categories of JPO recruitment:
  • Category 1: Recruitment and selection process fully managed by UNDP
  • Category 2: Recruitment and selection process jointly managed by UNDP and the donor
  • Category 3: Recruitment and selection process fully managed by the donor

"What is the main difference between internal and external status?"

• The main difference between internal and external – is that internal candidate can apply for both internally and externally advertised UNDP posts. Externals cannot apply for internal posts.
  

"What is CRB?"

• CRB is the Compliance Review Board, it is an internal panel of reviewers that review submissions of all selected candidates for any regular position to ensure that the recruitment process has been fully compliant with UNDP guidelines and is based on a competitive process.

"What does it mean to be CRB’ed?"

• Once a staff member’s appointment has been reviewed and approved by the CRB, this person can apply to any internally advertised positions.

"Can my appointment be reviewed by the CRB retroactively?"

• No, that is not possible.

"Are JPO/SARC appointment presented to the CRB?"

• Effective 01 January 2011, all appointments of JPOs/SARCs whose recruitments fall under category 1 (fully managed by UNDP) and category 2 (UNDP standards applied through the whole recruitment process) will be presented to CRB for review.  If endorsed by the CRB the JPO/SARC will be appointed and will have the status of “internal – level 1” candidates in accordance with Staff Rules 4.15.

  For category 3 where UNDP is not, or only partially, involved in the recruitment and selection process, the JPO Recruitment Guidelines will not apply to this category and the CRB will not review
  the selection process.

  JPOs/SARCs with status as “internal-level 1” may apply for internally and externally advertised posts in UNDP after having served 15 months in their post. JPOs/SARCs with status as “external-
  level 4” may apply to externally advertised posts in UNDP after having served 15 months in their post.
  

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